On February 17 I flew to
Warsaw and spent 7 weeks in
Poland. Every single day was filled with significant activity and encounters! I studied 4 weeks in Warsaw at a Polish language school (10 students in my group from 9 different countries!); taught at our Christian School of Music (CSM) on two separate weekends; visited my translator, Ola, in Poznan; spoke at churches, met with leaders, etc.; had countless 'divine appointments' with people on trains, buses, trams, and on the streets; and simply "lived" in Poland. Dave joined me at the end of March and together we hosted a team of 19 from
Taylor University (
Upland, IN) during their spring break. We worked at an English school in
Kraków, served at an orphanage, did some work projects at Ostróda Camp, and performed music/drama at various churches. It was an amazing time!
Now it's April and I've been home almost 3 weeks. Dave is still in
Poland -- he's been working at Ostróda Camp (lots of grunt work ... you know, pouring concrete, sawing block, taking down trees -- what a man!!) -- plus he's been preaching, teaching, and developing relationships with the believers in the NE regions of
Poland. He comes home on May 3 and it will be good to be together again.
As all the world is well-aware,
Poland has recently suffered an immense loss. On April 10, 2010, as a large delegation of
Poland's official leadership traveled to
Smolensk, Russia, to honor those who were murdered at Katyn, their plane crashed and all were killed.
Poland's President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and 94 other of
Poland's elite perished. A week of mourning ensued. Many remain in a state of shock and unbelief. We must pray that God will protect this country and provide stable leadership in the coming days. May He bring comfort and hope to these people who have suffered so much. May the name of Jesus be a strong tower for those who mourn. May His name be exalted above all others and may the people of
Poland find their hope in Him!
